West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1887-02-11

lation of their oaths to faithfully
represent their constituents. But
when the very purpose for which
they were nominated and elected is
to be defeated by yielding to the
dictation of a cut and dried caucus,
whose candidate has long ago been
ordained by the power and money OF
monopoly, these men. say, No; we
permit nothing to come between US
and the discharge of our sworn duty
as representatives ofthe people. Lay
aside your idol, take down the can
dldate of monopoly, give us any true
man outside of the charmed circle
with which Mr.. Camden has sur
rounded himself, and we will join
with you heart and hand, and elect
him."
sBut," we are asked, awere these
men elected upon the faith of their
pledges to vote against Mr.. Cam
den?' Unquestionably they were.
Take, for instance, the Senatorial
District composed of the counties of
Mineral, Hardy, Hampshire, Pendle-
ton and Grant. These counties fur
nish four of the twelve anti-caucus
Democrats, and in that section DEM
ocratic sentiment is so strongly OPP
posed to monopoly and its candi-
dates that the principal grounds for
opposition to the nomination of SEN
ator Price, was that it was feared he
would not be sufficiently active and
determined in his opposition to the
reelection of Senator Camden. He
was, however, finally nominated,
land subsequently elected), upon
being publicly pledged to such a
course.
The Hampshire convention have
adopted, without dissenting voice,
this resolution:
"That the Democratic party, if true to
lIS principles, Willy Al VIC aohiihiS u "tiOH
of the affairs of the people and by the
people, but for the people, and whilst it
will exact scrupulous regard for the
rights of property as defined by law,will
be active and jealous TO prevent and
abolish monopolies which are injurious
and dangerous) and enforce and protect
the rights of the people and individuals
against the power of aggregated wealth
and corporate greed"
IL 4 .fnf.x ..<f
the people of the patronage OF his posi-
ton for the building up OF his own for
tune or the reward OF his personal fol-
lowing, without regard TO the public SER
vice and the wishes of the people whom
he represents, is wrong against the
people"
Public sentimentin other quarters
of the State exacted from Legisla-
tive candidates pledges OF equal
force; and the determination of these
Democrats whose record of devotion
to party principles in years past is
second to none, to fulfill these
pledges at the expense of their de-
nunciatlon us traitors by those who
are willing to bow to ring rule, has
received the endorsement of the PEG
pie by whom they were elected.
Nor are these men seeking an al
lance with the Republicans. They
ask and expect nothing of the Re-
publican members of the Legislature
except to remain true to their own
principles and vote fonmen of their
own faith. Can Mr.. Camden say as
much? Has he not in every way
sought to win Republican votes?
Has he not had circulated in Repub-
lican counties petitions to Republi-
can members asking them to. vote
for him? In the light of these facts,
pray who is guilty of negotiating for
a Republican alliance, Mr.. Camden
or his Democratic opponents?
At this writing, the deadlock re-
mains unbroken. The Republicans
have pledged themselves never to
vote for Democrat. Camden has
captured Delegate Byrne, of Brax-
ton county, but the remaining twelve
Democrats, who stayed out of eau
ems, still stand firm, undismayed
by the immense pressure brought to
bear by the lobby in the interest Of
the Standard Oil Company's repre-
sentative who has scared the Dem
ocratic nomination. NJ. Camden
can never be elected except by Re-
publican votes.